Have you ever been out on a long hike through the woods or out on a long journey and felt your body ache for food in order to provide necessary energy to sustain itself? I recall one day long ago when I was out on a long run while training for a long distance race (50km – 31.1 miles). That particular day I was running 25 miles as a training run. At about mile 20 your body starts to really talk to you and it is most often asking for you to stop and eat! One of the greatest misconceptions about distance runners is that they do all of their running without food or water. In essence, it would be utterly impossible to complete a very long run without food and water, so marathon runners are required to eat and drink along their journey. On this particular day, I had ran out of my normal drink and food stash, and I was attempting to complete the last five miles without anything to drink or eat. I recall how my body felt. I was extremely weak and in much need of energy that is typically found in the liquid and food the body intakes. By the end of the run, I was very dizzy and extremely weak. It was all that I could do to get in my vehicle and drive to the nearest gas station and purchase a large green Gatorade and energy bar. As my mouth chewed on the food it was as if my very life depended on the food in order to survive. I was literally scarfing down the food as fast as possible. And yes, it was very messy as well.

In John’s Gospel, we see a startling statement made by Jesus Christ. He was speaking to a large group of people that had been filled with the food that Jesus provided them as He turned the bread and fish in to a sufficient supper. As he discussed the truth of the Gospel with them, Jesus made a very interesting and deep statement. He said, “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. (John 6:35)” Now, this group had just been seeking Jesus in order to see signs and wonders as opposed to coming to Him for eternal life. That is further revealed as they asked Him to show a sign unto them in verse thirty. Their focus was on the external rather than the internal.

The statement that Jesus made is very remarkable. He claimed to be the “bread of life.” That is the bread that leads and provides eternal life. In other words, the one who consumes that bread will never hunger and never require anything more to sustain them for eternity. What a powerful statement! The passage goes on to say the following in verses 36-40:

But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing,​†​ but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

In this passage of Scripture we see some extremely important doctrinal truths. We see the doctrine of election, the doctrine of repentance, and the doctrine of eternal security. In this passage it clearly points to the fact that the Father gives people to the Son which is the doctrine of election. We see that people are required to turn from their sin and to Christ which is the doctrine of repentance. We also see that those who turn to Christ will never be turned away and that they will be secure in Christ until the last day. Jesus said, “And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. (39)” That is the doctrine of eternal security of the believer.

It is extremely important to note that the one who comes to Christ will be forever saved and satisfied in the forgiveness that is found in Him. Jesus is the bread that never runs out. He is the bread that lasts forever. He is the bread that provides eternal life. He is the bread that completely satisfies. The world has stuff that provides temporary satisfaction, but Jesus completely saves and satisfies – for eternity. Jesus is the bread of life!

A Word About DBG

Delivered By Grace is a theology blog that focuses on theology, SBC, preaching, the church, and many issues within the Christian life. Delivered By Grace is edited by Josh Buice and contributed to by various other preachers and writers. Unless otherwise noted, articles are written by Josh Buice.

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